Leng Jun is a widely renowned fine artist whose oil paintings of women, in particular, are making people do a double-take. The precision and detail in his work make them look like photographs, but they’re all done by hand.
His work isn’t just realistic, it’s hyperrealistic – his subjects come to life as locks of hair or pores on the skin become visible the closer you look at the paintings.
You can almost see movement as you zoom in.
Leng’s paintings originate in the oil painting techniques developed in the West but are imbued with his own Chinese culture. That’s because he grew up during China’s economic reforms in the 70s and 80s when the country opened itself up to outside influences.
Despite his breathtaking skill in painting people, he says they’re by far the most difficult subjects.
Leng told CGNT:
“For example, still life or rusted metals, they’re not something we see every day. People deal with people the most and people are most familiar with people. To portray people and make others believe is the hardest thing.”
But he doesn’t want people to see a lot of effort when they look at his paintings – at their root, they are designed to be simple and elegant.
The tranquility of his subjects is common across all of his portraits.
But they are also a study in contrasts – stillness and movement, simplicity and detail, calm and vigor. It takes great talent and a unique artistic mind to be able to create this balance.
Imagine the patience required to produce the minute detail of the painting of the woman in the green sweater. You can see the wispy threads coming off of her garment in addition to each woven thread that makes up the knitted piece.
Microscopic details such as lines on hands and perfect shadowing allow you to appreciate the life-like portraits from any distance.
It’s no surprise that Leng Jun is well-known to the art world. His paintings hang in exhibits and private collections around the world and have won multiple awards, among them the Annual Chinese Oil Painting Exhibition’s Art Award and the Golden Award in the 3rd Annual Chinese Art Exhibition.
He is also a leader in the Chinese art world, with membership in multiple arts organizations.
And while he still lives in China, his work is internationally recognized. He was awarded an honorary doctorate from England’s Birmingham City University in 2018.
“Leng Jun’s artistry has been described as ‘paintings that are beyond limits’ by scholars, meaning they meet or exceed the usual standards of oil painting,” a university spokesperson said of his work.
Upon receiving his degree, he imparted some ancient Chinese wisdom on that year’s graduates.
“…the study of art is not the same as other professions. Confucius said ‘let the will be set on the path of duty. Let every attainment of what is good be firmly grasped. Let perfect virtue be emulated. Let relaxation and enjoyment be found in the arts.'”
And that appears to be yet another contrast Leng Jun has mastered – relaxation and perfection.
While his hyperrealistic pieces take much longer to create, you can scroll down below to see a video of a portrait he painted in just one day.
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